The views expressed in these profiles are the views of the candidates and they are not endorsed by the City of Vancouver. The profiles are reproduced verbatim as submitted by the candidates and the content has not been altered in any way by the City.

ALEXANDER, Joy

Vision Vancouver

Candidate statement

Joy is a retired teacher, parent, and school psychologist with a Doctorate in Educational Psychology. She is passionate about expanding the work of the current Vision School Board, by improving early learning outcomes and learning outcomes for Aboriginal students, supporting efforts to keep neighbourhood schools open, and maximizing the district’s relationship with post-secondary institutions. As an educational psychologist in Vancouver schools for over 12 years, Joy worked with kids with learning difficulties, helped parents and children navigate the school system, and worked with teachers to improve programming for at-risk students, particularly Aboriginal kids.

Joy and her husband Dean have three grown sons who all attended Vancouver public schools. She is an avid volunteer, and has spent many hours with school PACs, a reading program in schools, Parent Support Services at Children’s Hospital, and on the Board of and fundraising for the YWCA.

Contact

Candidate documents

BACCHUS, Patti

Vision Vancouver

Candidate statement

Patti Bacchus was elected to the Vancouver School Board in 2008 and has served as board chair every year. She’s recognized province-wide as a strong, articulate advocate for public education in Vancouver and beyond. Named one of BC’s Top 100 Influential Women by the Vancouver Sun, Patti listens to parents, students and communities and has worked to successfully minimize the impact of provincial funding shortfalls on classrooms, in addition to securing additional provincial education funding. She’s also been a key figure in the seismic upgrade process.

To meet diverse learning needs, Patti has worked to develop plans for Vancouver’s first Aboriginal-focused school, an Early Mandarin Bilingual program, expanded Montessori programming and Vancouver’s first primary International Baccalaureate Program. Patti was born and raised in Vancouver, attending Point Grey Secondary School. She graduated from the University of Victoria and Langara College. Patti and her husband have three children.

Contact

Candidate documents

BALLANTYNE, Fraser

NPA

Candidate statement

In his 38 years working in public education, Vancouver School Board Trustee Fraser Ballantyne has served as a teacher, counsellor, school administrator and district management team member. He has worked with ESL, Downtown Eastside, Aboriginal and Southeast Vancouver youths, giving him insight into the issues and concerns of a diverse range of Vancouver students, parents and teachers. He served for five years on the Vancouver School Board’s Senior Management Team in Human Resources, where he managed staffing for Vancouver’s high schools, special education and alternative schools.

Ballantyne seeks re-election to continue working to support Vancouver’s most vulnerable students. He is a proponent for fiscal responsibility and accountability at the School Board, and an advocate for sustainable funding for the Board to continue providing funding for important programs like Band and Strings and ESL-related multicultural support workers. He resides in MacKenzie Heights, where he has lived for almost three decades.

Contact

Candidate documents

BHATHA, Susan

Vancouver 1st

Candidate statement

Susan Bhatha is a full time stay at home mother of two with an undying passion for community improvement. She's held and continues with a variety of volunteer positions that have truly made a difference in many lives. She's been an active member and advisor to the executive team of Guru Nanak's Free Kitchen - an organization dedicated to serving meals on a weekly basis to the homeless in Vancouver . Since 2012 she's been on the PAC executive where her frustration began with the VSB's lack of priorities. Susan says "Putting pressure on parents to fund playgrounds is totally unacceptable!"

Once elected, Susan's committments include:

replace all needed school playgrounds

increase parent consultation

transparency ie. public Trustee meetings, funding allocations,

reasses district school closure days

Susan Bhatha is committed to supporting students and parents in the fight to bring schools back to basics. Vote Vancouver1st

Contact

Candidate documents

BOUEY, Jane

Public Education Project

Candidate statement

Jane Bouey is running with the Public Education Project, a ground breaking new civic party solely focused on defending public education, and creating well-funded, safer, more inclusive schools that meet the unique learning needs of ALL students. As a parent of a special needs child, Jane knows the barriers many students face. She served two terms as a Vancouver School Board Trustee, including 2008-2011, when she was Board Vice-Chair. She played a key role in developing VSB policy on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identities.

Jane works to strengthen anti-racism programs, Aboriginal Education, and equity for low income students. On the advisory committee to BC Farm to Schools, Jane is committed to food security, expansion of food programs, and school gardens. A former bookseller, Jane currently works at a provincial non-profit and volunteers with community radio. Defend Public Education – Vote Public Education Project.

Contact

Candidate documents

CLEMENT, Ken

Vision Vancouver

Candidate statement

Ken Clement, of Ktunaxa First Nation ancestry, is a 30 year resident of Vancouver. As CEO of the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network, he has offered steady executive guidance to Aboriginal health organizations and has been involved in the Aboriginal HIV and AIDS movement since 1998. Ken is currently involved with the National Aboriginal Council on HIV and AIDS and collaborates with many leading non-profit organizations.

His formal education began with a decade spent in residential school. His personal experiences led to the strengthening and resiliency of his character, which is the foundation for his passion and commitment to social justice. Serving as the first-ever Aboriginal Trustee of the Vancouver School Board, Ken works tirelessly to enhance the educational system's ability to provide an opportunity to succeed for every student, regardless of where they live in the city, their income level, or cultural background, particularly amongst Aboriginal students.

Contact

Candidate documents

DAY, Diana

Coalition of Progressive Voters (COPE)

Candidate statement

Diana Day is a leader in Aboriginal health, and mother of two amazing teenagers, and she been involved in education as a member of Parent Advisory Council's (PAC) since 2002 and is currently the Co-Chair of the VSB District PAC, where she has been a member since 2012. Active on the Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement Committee and the Student Services Committee III, Day advocates for adequate funding for Race Relations, Multicultural supports and culturally safe schools.

As a single parent, working full-time and an Indigenous woman Day knows the daily struggles students and families face, trying to succeed in the system. Day believes schools must be fully funded to provide equitable programming across the district with supports in place where students need them the most, to ensure a greater future for all. Diana Day also is a member of the Urban Aboriginal Peoples Advisory Committee to the City of Vancouver.

Contact

Candidate documents

DENIKE, Ken

Vancouver 1st

Candidate statement

I am faculty emeritus, UBC with PhD thesis in public finance. I am running for the tenth term with Trustee Sophia Woo endorsed by Vancouver 1st elector organization. Why are we running? Because we recognize the role we play on the VSB as opposition. We have contributed on numerous occasions where the board has needed leadership. We listen to parents, staff and the broader community, and are passionate to carry through motions in forum.

The School Board is our base. Vancouver 1st is bigger than simply the two of us running for School Board seats. We start here because education is our passion. And it's the passion of many, especially members of our new communities who know it is critical to the future of their families in Vancouver, and Canada I am dedicated to listening to parents and staff, making common sense interpretations and discussing issues in open dialogue.

Contact

Candidate documents

FALLS, Larry

Independent

Candidate statement

Larry Falls first came to Vancouver in 1975 from Halifax, N.S. He has over 30 years experience in addictions and mental health as director of clinical programs and educator. He has lectured at international scientific conferences in Canada, United States and Europe. He believes that education is a road that leads to knowledge, insight, and personal development.

The role of a school trustee is to practice good stewardship with the potential to create greater partnerships with parents, students, teachers and key stakeholders, within the school system. My first priority is to focus on continuing relationships, reciprocity, and participation, in order to make dramatic changes, that will improve and promote excellence in education for students and adults.

Contact

Candidate documents

FRAATZ, Ralph

Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE)

Candidate statement

Ralph Fraatz has lived in Vancouver since 1957. He grew up in east Vancouver, attended public school and graduated from John Oliver High School. After two years at Langara College, he transferred to UBC to complete a Bachelor of Education. Prior to starting his teaching career, Fraatz was employed by the City of Vancouver Water Works Department and was a card carrying member of CUPE Local 1004. From 1979-2011 Fraatz was a teacher with the VSB, hired to work with Special Needs students. Fraatz has been a strong union supporter and served as a VESTA Staff Rep. for three years.

Since retiring from teaching, Fraatz has been an active community volunteer at the Kitsilano/Fairview Community Policing Center and has coordinated the CPC's Speed Watch program. As a VSB Trustee, Fraatz will advocate support for students with special needs and First Nations students, as well as reinstatement of Junior Kindergarten.

Contact

Candidate documents

FRASER, Janet

Green

Candidate statement

Janet Fraser is the parent of three active children, sits as the PAC Co-Chair at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Elementary School and, for the last 10 years, has been the Co-Chair or Chair at Laurier or Laurier Annex. She graduated from the University of Bristol with a Ph.D. in chemistry. As a scientist she has seen what can be achieved with consistent, collaborative approaches. In Marpole, she has been active in neighbourhood development issues, co-founding Marpole Matters and engaging in the city’s Marpole Plan.

She is a Hockey Canada Safety Person and was a baseball assistant coach. Most recently she worked at WWEST (Westcoast Women in Engineering, Science & Technology) advancing engineering and science as welcoming careers for women. At the Vancouver School Board Janet wants to ensure that our schools are fully funded, that every student can succeed, and that schools are the heart of the community.

Contact

Candidate documents

GIESBRECHT, Gwen

Public Education Project

Candidate statement

Gwen Giesbrecht is an experienced and strong advocate for public education. She is running with a ground breaking new electoral organization. The Public Education Project is the first civic party to solely focus on School Board. Voting for Public Education Project candidates sends a strong message that Vancouver needs a fully funded, equitable, and inclusive public education that is fostered and celebrated as a true cornerstone of democracy; a message that public schools, our students and educators are full partners in decisions that impact our communities, our city, and our province.

For more than a decade, as parent representative at the Vancouver Board of Education, and community board member, Gwen has brought insight into the issues facing our families and students. Her energy creates solutions. On November 15th, save two votes for the Public Education Project candidates. Committed to public education.

Contact

Candidate documents

GUPTA, Raj

Independent

Candidate statement

RAJ GUPTA stands for you Vancouverite since 1974. Got vast experience in servicing the community in managing retails, Insurance & mortgage services. Currently a Realtor for 24 yrs with Royal Pacific Realty Kingsways & served as Real Estate Board of Directors for Van East Division’s Education Committee. Was MLA candidate for the BC Conservative Party in the BC Election in 2013. I believe in a better monitoring and evaluating School board performance to improve student’s achievements thru:

Governance Improvement

Concerns of parents & Students

Priority & expectation of public

Dual responsibilities of Board VS Public

Policy making

Principle & strategic planning

Effective communication

Balance budget of funding

Transparency and Audits

Emoloyers of school & administrative

Effective educational programs

Develop plans and achieving goals

Children are our FUTURE. Make a difference by voting for me to benefit the community.

JIVRAJ, Amin

Candidate statement

Contact

Candidate documents

KOMBII, Nanjalah

Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE)

Candidate statement

Kombii Nanjalah has extensive experience as a union activist, youth advocacy worker, and community organizer. She is a shop steward with BCGEU Local 003 and has also served as Member at Large on its local executive. In Nairobi, she organized low-income youth and built a soccer movement of over one million children. Currently, she supports mentally and physically challenged children as a Community Care Worker at Pathway Community Services. She also works with the African Great Lakes Networking Foundation, focusing on youth empowerment through education, sports, and music.

As a COPE candidate for Vancouver School Board, Nanjalah is committed to combatting discrimination in schools and ensuring that every child in the public school system receives the attention they need, with special attention for newcomers and those with special needs. Driven by a passion for empowering youth, Nanjalah is also especially concerned about access to education for children living in poverty.

Contact

Candidate documents

LOMBARDI, Mike

Vision Vancouver

Candidate statement

Mike Lombardi is Vice Chairperson of the Vancouver School Board, serving as a trustee since 2008. Before seeking office as a school trustee in 2008, Mike served in the public education system for 35 years. He now works as an education consultant. Mike has a proud history of community involvement in Vancouver. He has volunteered as chair and member of two school PACs, coached kids’ soccer, softball, and baseball, and served as board director of several prominent Italian community organizations.

Mike chairs the VSB Management and Coordinating Committee and also represents the Board on the Vancouver Public Library Board, Vancouver City Planning Commission, and Vancouver City Youth and Child Advisory Committee. Mike and his three grown children have all attended Vancouver public schools. He holds a Bachelor of General Studies degree from SFU and a Master of Education degree from UBC.

Contact

Candidate documents

NAGTEGAAL, Heidi

Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE)

Candidate statement

Heidi Nagtegaal is passionate about addressing systemic issues of poverty and bringing anti-racism and anti-homophobia policies to Vancouver schools. As a Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE) School Board Trustee, Nagtegaal will strongly advocate for anti-oppression training for all staff in the school system, increased support for creating safer spaces, gender neutral bathrooms, and sensory rooms for students with various special needs to ensure accessible and inclusive education and facilities for all students regardless of race, gender, sexuality, or socioeconomic status.

Nagtegaal is an artist and an active resident of Grandview-Woodlands. In 2006 she founded the Hammock Residency, a community based initiative to create space for local and international artists to grow their practice. As an artist she has shown work internationally. Nagtegaal is a lifelong advocate for children and has recently worked for the Vancouver School Board.

Contact

Candidate documents

NGUYEN, Bang

Independent

Candidate statement

To the parents and voters of Vancouver, it's time we stop asking parents for money and come up with a better way to generate revenue for our kids. I currently have 2 kids in the Vancouver education system. I want to make sure that every students path to post secondary, is a smooth one. We need to stop having SPLIT classes in the elementary schools.

We concentrate so much on filling our classes to make budget, that we forget the vulnerable students that are lost in the shuffle. We need to make sure that every kid does not go to school hungry and that they have the right supplies to help them with their schooling. I believe that French immersion should have their own schools. As long as you have the heart and drive, we will make a difference in shaping our kids educational future! Vote for a better EDUCATION...............

Contact

Candidate documents

NOBLE, Penny

NPA

Candidate statement

Penny Noble, a former teacher and a public-relations and marketing veteran, has taught at the secondary and elementary-school levels in both Canada and the United Kingdom, including with the Vancouver School Board. Noble is the Executive Director of Bike to Work BC Society. In 2012, she launched and organized the Heritage Vancouver Garden Tour. Once elected to School Board, Noble’s priorities include:

Restoring meaningful consultation between the Board and city residents

Preserving Vancouver’s heritage and character homes and schools

Creating a safe, reliable transportation plan for students and parents

Noble has served as Senior Director of Public Affairs for the BC Cancer Foundation and has held senior communications posts with Langara College, the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver, and positions within the tourism sector. She is active in swimming, tennis, skiing, gardening and the restoration of heritage houses.

Contact

Candidate documents

OAK, Mischa

Green

Candidate statement

Mischa Oak has been a teacher-on-call for the Vancouver School Board since 2008, teaching thousands of students in nearly every Vancouver school. He has experienced first-hand the challenges our schools face. Oak will work to protect programs supporting our most vulnerable students and to make sure our schools are providing all students with the skills they need.

Oak has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen’s University and worked successfully in marketing before becoming a teacher. His experience in the private sector taught him a respect for balanced budgets and the necessity for financial diligence and creativity to adequately fund our schools.

Oak is also a long-time LGBTQ advocate, dedicated to creating a progressive, diverse community. He served on the Board of Directors for the Vancouver Pride Society and as Volunteer Coordinator for Pride in 2012. Born and raised in Vancouver, Oak served as President of the Vancouver Centre NDP.

Contact

Candidate documents

PAYNE, Cherie

Vision Vancouver

Candidate statement

Cherie Payne has a passion for public education that stems from watching her parents struggle to send her and her sister to Crofton House, university and graduate school on working class salaries. They immigrated to Canada from the Caribbean and didn't feel confident navigating BC's school system on their own. Cherie brings 15 years experience negotiating with government decision makers as a public affairs consultant. She served as Co-Chair of the West End Mayor's Advisory Committee and as Legislative Assistant to federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh. She holds a BA from McGill University and an LL.B from Osgoode Hall Law School.

Since being elected in 2011, Cherie has been a strong and vocal supporter of inner city schools, increasing childcare spaces, and building safe and inclusive communities. Voters can be confident of her ability to represent students’ interests, negotiate with the province, and collaborate closely with parents and teachers.

Contact

Candidate documents

RICHARDSON, Christopher

NPA

Candidate statement

Christopher Richardson has spent his career advising not-for-profits in charitable gift planning and assisting donors across Canada to achieve their philanthropic goals. He hopes to combine these skills with his passion for public service by serving on the Vancouver School Board. He is passionate about improving school resources for students with learning issues, food sustainability for the city’s youth, and integrating school amenities into the community. Richardson is a Chartered Accountant and longtime community volunteer.

He is president of the Mount Pleasant Community Centre Association, a Trustee of the Vancouver Maritime Museum, and an advisor to the Downtown Eastside Seniors Resource Sanctuary. Richardson served three times as a Vancouver Park Board Commissioner, and was Vice-Chair in 1990. For over 40 years, he has served the Vancouver Police Department as a Traffic Authority Special Constable. An avid half marathon walker and cyclist, Richardson is learning Mandarin in his spare time.

Contact

Candidate documents

ROBERTSON, Stacy

NPA

Candidate statement

A resident of Vancouver for the past 15 years, Stacy Robertson has been a fixture in East Vancouver’s Hastings Park community. A lawyer by trade, he is currently enforcement counsel at the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada. Robertson has been involved in the Hastings Park Conservancy, a community group promoting the greening and public use of the area, for the past several years. He is also a coach in the Hastings Little League.

Once elected, Robertson hopes to:

Improve resources for Vancouver’s special needs students

Bring independence to the School Board by creating clear and open policy for grants and other charitable giving

Look at alternative methods to address the city’s crisis concerning available daycare spaces

With his community involvement and legal background, Robertson is excited to bring his combination of fiscal and legal knowledge and civic engagement to the Vancouver School Board.

Contact

Candidate documents

SHARMA, Sandy

NPA

Candidate statement

Sandy Sharma has been extensively involved with Vancouver schools, both as a member of PAC Executive and the Vancouver District Parent Advisory Council, where she served as Vice Chairperson. Sharma represented DPAC on several Vancouver School Board Committees, including the Mandarin Bilingual Committee and the Assessment for Learning Committee. She seeks election for School Board to continue advocating for Vancouver youth as a “students-first” trustee. She hopes to include student voices in consultation and decision-making, and address the lack of transparency and accountability at the Vancouver School Board.

Sharma is a professional residential real estate appraiser and holds the Canadian Residential Appraiser (CRA) designation with the Appraisal Institute of Canada. Since 2003, Sharma has owned Westside Appraisals Inc, a real estate appraisal and consulting company. She is also a licensed Associate Broker and has been involved with the city’s real estate industry for over 21 years.

Candidate documents

SHECTER, Ilana

Candidate statement

Ilana Shecter is running to become the next trustee on the Vancouver School Board in order to deliver on the promise that it becomes the “Greenest in North America.”

Ilana will work with other trustees and students to create a holistic approach to sustainability through a newly-created Students’ Environmental Bill of Rights. Through this policy, climate change mitigation and adaptation will be taught through an economic, environmental and social justice lens.

In addition, she will work with other trustees to create more effective anti-poverty advocacy and will not be complicit in further funding cuts to the Vancouver School Board.

Contact

Phone: 604-618-6689

Candidate documents

WONG, Allan

Vision Vancouver

Candidate statement

Allan is serving his fifth term as trustee since 1999 and is a former board vice-chair.

He is a proud father of four: one in elementary, one in secondary, and two in post-secondary. After graduating from UBC’s Multicultural Teacher Education Program (post BA), Allan taught in Vancouver-area public schools for five years. He has been a long-time education advocate for a healthy education system, including adequate supports for ESL and special-needs students.

Allan served as chair of the School Board Planning and Facilities Committee that initiated Vancouver’s seismic upgrades. Allan has been an employee with TELUS (formerly BC Tel) for over 25 years. He is a long-time resident of South Vancouver and an avid cyclist.

Contact

Candidate documents

WOO, Sophia

Vancouver 1st

Candidate statement

I am a practicing mental health clinician in Vancouver

I am running for a second term with Trustee Ken Denike endorsed by Vancouver 1st elector organization.

Why are we running? Because we recognize the role we play on the VSB as opposition. We have contributed on numerous occasions where the board has needed leadership. We listen to parents, staff and the broader community, and are passionate to carry through motions in public forum.

Right from the start this is about a new and more inclusive vision for Vancouver localized in the new multiethnic, multicultural, evolving city.

This is a new voice for Vancouver, one whose focus and goals come from the citizens, old and new, and not the old politics that ignored too many Vancouver communities and citizens.

I am recognized as a community leader and passionate promoter of public education and am recipient of Outstanding Chinese Woman Award, 2007.

Contact

Candidate documents

WYNEN, Rob

Candidate statement

Rob Wynen was elected to the Vancouver School Board in 2011. Rob chairs the Staff and Personnel Committee and serves as Vice-Chair of the Building Services Committee.

Rob is a career health professional with community leadership experience. He is an expert in the relationship between urban design and promoting healthy, active transportation. In both his career as a health and lifestyle consultant and in his volunteer activities, Rob has worked to promote student health.

Rob’s community work includes founding and leading the West End Residents Association. He has also served on the boards of Better Environmentally Sound Transportation, the Pedestrian Action Coalition, chair of the Lord Nelson Parent Advisory Committee, and chair of the Vancouver Active Transportation Policy Committee.